Acts 23

As Paul pleadeth his cause,

Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men, brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Ananias conmmandeth them to smite him.

Acts 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to strike him on the mouth. Acts 23:3 Then said Paul to him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? Acts 23:4 And they that stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, I knew not, brethren, that he is the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. Acts 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Dissension among his accusers.

Acts 23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. Acts 23:9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and contended, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul would have been pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.

God encourageth him.

Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear testimony also at Rome. Acts 23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Acts 23:13 And they were more than forty who had made this conspiracy.

The Jews' laying wait for Paul,

Acts 23:14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain, that he bring him down to you to-morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, before he shall come near, are ready to kill him. Acts 23:16 And when the son of Paul's sister heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Acts 23:17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to [him], and said, Bring this young man to the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. Acts 23:18 So he took him, and brought [him] to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me to [him], and prayed me to bring this young man to thee, who hath something to say to thee. Acts 23:19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went [with him] aside privately, and asked [him], What is that thou hast to tell me?

is declared unto the chief captain.

Acts 23:20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldst bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat concerning him more perfectly. Acts 23:21 But do not thou yield to them: for there are of them who lie in wait for him more than forty men, who have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now they are ready, looking for a promise from thee. Acts 23:22 So the chief captain [then] let the young man depart, and charged [him], [See thou] tell no man that thou hast shown these things to me. Acts 23:23 And he called to [him] two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; Acts 23:24 And provide [for them] beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring [him] safe to Felix the governor. Acts 23:25 And he wrote a letter after this manner: Acts 23:26 Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, [sendeth] greeting.

He sendeth him to Felix the governor.

Acts 23:27 This man was taken by the Jews, and would have been killed by them: then I came with a body of soldiers, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. Acts 23:28 And when I would have known the cause for which they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: Acts 23:29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds. Acts 23:30 And when it was told to me that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent forthwith to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also, to say before thee what [they had] against him. Farewell. Acts 23:31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought [him] by night to Antipatris. Acts 23:32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: Acts 23:33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. Acts 23:34 And when the governor had read [the letter], he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that [he was] of Cilicia, Acts 23:35 I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers also have come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall.